Louise Smith: Police doing fingertip searches in Havant Thicket after murder of Leigh Park teen

POLICE officers are still searching a woodland for clues about a young girl’s murder.
Watch more of our videos on Shots! 
and live on Freeview channel 276
Visit Shots! now

Louise Smith, 16 from Leigh Park, was confirmed dead by Hampshire Constabulary on May 23, with detectives subsequently launching a murder investigation.

The teenager was reportedly living in a property at Ringwood House, in Somborne Drive, Leigh Park, and was last seen in the area in the street on VE Day.

Read More
Murder investigation launched after body of Havant teen is found
Police at Havant Thicket on Tuesday, May 26, where 16-year-old Louise Smith's body was found. Picture: Sarah Standing (260520-3459)Police at Havant Thicket on Tuesday, May 26, where 16-year-old Louise Smith's body was found. Picture: Sarah Standing (260520-3459)
Police at Havant Thicket on Tuesday, May 26, where 16-year-old Louise Smith's body was found. Picture: Sarah Standing (260520-3459)
Hide Ad
Hide Ad

With an appeal for anyone who was in the area that day to come forward with dashcam footage, selfies, CCTV and Strava running routes, police are determined to leave no stone unturned.

Louise’s body was found in Havant Thicket, where officers are continuing their search.

While in the woodland area, police have been doing extensive fingertip searches.

A cordon remains in place around the site as officers conduct precise searches, which will continue tomorrow.

Police at the scene of Havant Thicket. Picture: Sarah Standing (260520-3453)Police at the scene of Havant Thicket. Picture: Sarah Standing (260520-3453)
Police at the scene of Havant Thicket. Picture: Sarah Standing (260520-3453)
Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Officers have also been doing more door-to-door enquiries, as they hope to trace Louise’s final movents from the Somborne Drive and Greywell Road area, up to where her body was found in the thicket.

Detective Chief Superintendent Scott MacKechnie has urged that public support is key to the police’s investigation.

He said: ‘We have read the tributes that have been paid to Louise and we know just how much she meant to the community.

‘I want to reassure you that we are doing all we can to find out who is responsible, to bring justice for her and for her family.

Picture: Sarah Standing (260520-3438)Picture: Sarah Standing (260520-3438)
Picture: Sarah Standing (260520-3438)
Hide Ad
Hide Ad

‘You will continue to see our presence at Havant Thicket in the coming days, as we carry out an extensive search of the area.

‘Officers will also be in Leigh Park, conducting house-to-house enquiries and seeking CCTV and dash cam footage.

‘This is a tragic case and if you have any information you believe could help us, no matter how small or insignificant you may believe it to be, then please do not hesitate to contact us.’

Anyone with information is asked to call 101, quoting 44200163113.

A message from the Editor

Thank you for reading this story on portsmouth.co.uk. While I have your attention, I also have an important request to make of you.

With the coronavirus lockdown having a major impact on many of our advertisers - and consequently the revenue we receive - we are more reliant than ever on you taking out a digital subscription.

Subscribe to portsmouth.co.uk and enjoy unlimited access to local news and information online and on our app. With a digital subscription, you can read more than 5 articles, see fewer ads, enjoy faster load times, and get access to exclusive newsletters and content. Visit our Subscription page now to sign up.

Our journalism costs money and we rely on advertising, print and digital revenues to help to support them. By supporting us, we are able to support you in providing trusted, fact-checked content for this website.